Harvardiana (song)

Harvardiana is a march song of Harvard University written by Raymond G. Williams (1887–1981) and Sanger B. Steel (1889–1927), both members of the Harvard class of 1911.

The song uses the name "Eli" to refer to athletic rival Yale. In recent years it has become the tradition for women to shout "Radcliffe!" between the repetitions of "Harvard!" in the chorus of the song.

Tradition

The Harvard Glee Club (HGC), and more recently the Radcliffe Choral Society (RCS), perform Harvardiana as part of their annual Harvard-Yale Football Concert. This concert takes place the night before the iconic football game between the two schools and involves the performance of a series of fight songs accompanied by heckling from the other school's choir(s). HGC and RCS perform this song with choreography intended to taunt the Yale Glee Club, such as stomps and air punches. The Yale Glee Club boos and hisses from the audience.

Lyrics

With Crimson in triumph flashing

'Mid the strains of victory,

Poor Eli's hopes we are dashing

Into blue obscurity.

Resistless our team sweeps goalward

With the fury of the blast;

We'll fight for the name of Harvard

'Til the last white line is passed.

Harvard! Radcliffe! Harvard! Radcliffe!

Harvard! Radcliffe! Harvard! Radcliffe!

Harvard! Radcliffe! Harvard! Radcliffe!

Harvard! Harvard! Harvard!

With Crimson in triumph flashing

'Mid the strains of victory,

Poor Eli's hopes we are dashing

Into blue obscurity.

Resistless our team sweeps goalward

With the fury of the blast;

We'll fight for the name of Harvard

'Til the last white line is passed.

Written by R.G. Williams and S. B. Steel, both Harvard College Class of 1911

See also

• Fight Fiercely, Harvard
• Ten Thousand Men of Harvard

External links

• Video of Harvardiana song
• audio and lyrics to Harvard fight songs, Harvard University Band
• Video of Harvardiana at the 121st Harvard-Yale Football Concert, begins at 2:19:11, Harvard Glee Club and Radcliffe Choral Society
  • Performed as part of the Harvardiana Suite, which includes multiple Harvard fight songs